New Police Chief takes over

On December 11, 2024, the Swainsboro City Council officially selected Ashley Riner to take the leadership job of the Police Department of the City of Swainsboro. The new Chief assumes the position following the retirement of Chief Randy Ellison who held the job for the past sixteen years. Chief Riner graciously took time from his busy schedule to speak with The Forest-Blade about his new position. The career track of the new Chief has been dedicated to public safety and public service from the very start. Beginning in 1980, Riner’s training and work in the field began with duties as a paramedic and EMT. In 1988, he transitioned into law enforcement with training at the Athens Police Academy and service with various law enforcement agencies in the area. An opportunity occurred later in Emanuel County that brought Riner back home to become the first part-time, and later full-time, narcotics detective with the Swainsboro Police Department. Riner’s service went on to include leading major Investigations with the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office for an extended period before taking up his most recent position in Investigations with the Swainsboro Police Department. The Forest-Blade’s first question for the new Chief centered on his long years’ service and the changes that have taken place during that time. “I would say the biggest change is not in crime itself, but in the process and administration of catching and convicting the law breaker. Just like everything else, the current state of the digital world has done away with the old ways of doing things. Criminal activity is still pretty basic, but cyber-crime and other illegal Internet activities and paperless fraud give us new challenges every day. We also continue to stay busy with the problem of illegal drugs just like every other community everywhere. That has not slowed down, and the major problems continue to be with meth and now a return of heroin use and distribution. Another continuing issue we have is gang activity which seems to be more and more of a threat and more violent. This is where the public could really step up and help us in preventing the younger folks from becoming involved in criminal activity by just talking to us.” When asked about the operations of the local Police Department, Chief Riner stressed his desire to focus on community policing. “Through grants, special assistance from state and federal agencies and cooperation with surrounding departments, we have the capability to provide the needed services for this community. We have 18 members on staff, with one in training, but the best thing we could have working in our favor is a real partnership with the public to give them the assurance that they can talk to us in confidence when there is a problem. That is the best way to keep this community safe and provide the services that the public expects. It’s a big job, and the only way we can do it is with the help and support of the public, that’s who we work for.” The long-time native of Swainsboro is convinced that this city has a police department that is up to the task of serving and protecting, and it appears that the new Chief has the qualifications and the determination to make sure that happens.

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